Regulator for dampers and the like.



O. E. WILLIAMS.

- REGULATOR FOR DAMPERS AND THE LIKE.

APPLIGATION FILED JUNE 4, 1910 Patented D89. 10, 1912.

0. E. WIEZJLIAMS.

REGULATOR FOR DAMLSRS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4, 191 0.

1,0463% Patented Dec.10,1912.

3 SHBBTS-SHEET 2.

G. E. WKLLIAMS.

BEGULAYGR FOR DAMPBRS AND THE LIKE.

APPLIGATKOH FILE JUNE4, 1910.

Patented Dec. 10,1912.

3 SHEBTSSHEET 3.

' ,Ziue 7? TEv 45,922"

OSBERT E. NILTJAMS, 01f. SCRANTON, PENNEiYLVANIA.

REGULATOR FOR DAMPERS AND THE LIKE.

nuances.

Specification of Letters Fatent.

Patented Dec. id, ldilt Application filed June l, 1910. Serial No. 564,975.

lb all whom may concern:

Be it known that I, Osnnnr E. lVmmA'irs, a citizen of the United. States, and resident of fiicran ton, county of Lackawanna, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Regulators for Dampers and the Like; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description 01" the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which. it appcrtains'to make'and use the same.

his invention. relates to improved means for producing a varying fluid pressure on a suitably loaded piston or diaphragm of a regulating device or motor.

The improvements are especially applicable to the regulation of the dampers of steam boilers, the operation of steam valves to control the speed of engines or the amount of steam used in one or more steam actuated blowers, and also for controlling the amount of feed Water admittedto a steam boiler. In fact the improved apparatusmay be used inconnection with many other devices where regulation is required in the flow of fluid or the speed of machinery.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind bywhich a reliable and effectiveregulation is produccchthe device being positive in its action and at the same time very sensitive to the varying conditions of pressure, water level and the like.

It is also aimed to produce a regulator of simple construction, in which the parts are reduced to a minimum, and in which paclo ing glands, stutfing boxes, and similarinstrw mentalities, which cause friction and leakage and are also subject to wear, are omitted. The apparatiis operates under very small differences of pressure, the construction is durable and the device will wear for a considerable length of time Without leakage, the possibility of sticking or failure, or any special attention on the part of the at tendant.

In carrying out the invention, 1 utilize a stream of water or other fluid which is constantly flowing, and I makc'this stream do the work of. regulation by controlling the presspro thereof in a suitable manner, the pressure being builtup and relieved in accordance with the regulating eitliect which is to be produced. in practice, the constantly flowing stream of fluid is regulated in its passage by means of a needle valve or the like, which is controlled from a steam pressure device, for example, 1n connection with a boiler, whereby the pressure of the liquid on. a suitable diaphragm or piston connected so with the part to be controlled, such as a damper, is increased and decreased as called for by conditions. In this way, the stream of fluid is made to do useful work, and the device is rendered very sensitivc, so that it 5 will respond rapidly to the smallest variation requiring regulation.

In the accompanying drawing :-Fig1ure 1 is a vertical section of an apparatus embodymg the lnvention, showing the same in con.

nection with the damper of a steam boiler. Fig. 2 is a. vertical section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 3, the actuating lever being shown in elevation Fig. 3 IS a top plan view of a modified form of the apparatus showing it used for the same purpose. Figs.

%l and 5 are detailed sections of the valve chamber and its needle valve.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 1 is designed to regulate the position of a damper in a boiler oft-take flue'or to regulate a steam valve controlling the speed of a fan, steam driven, taking off the products of combustion by means oi'the varying pressure of the said products of combustion.

a suitable flue 10 into a pressure chamber 11, 111 which a piston 12 is movable. The piston rod 13, on whlch the piston is mounted, is connected. with a counterbalanced 9Q beam 14.- fulcrumed at 15 on a suitable fixed support such as the standard 16. In the embodiment illustrated the beam 1a is countcrweightcd by means of-a weight l7 depending from the end of said beam-that is opposite the piston rod 13.- The damper or other device to be regulated is operated by incansvof a piston 18 working up and down in a cylinder; 19 tocontain pressure water 'or similar fluid, as will hereinafter 00 appear, and said piston 18 is loaded or' weighted so that it will normally take aposition in the lower part of its cylinder, where it is supported on a suitable abutmentQO.

Said piston is provided with a piston rod 21 connected by means of a chain'22 with the damper, engine throttle or blowercontrol A; part of these 85 products of combustion is conducted through flows constantly from a supply pipe 25. The Water flows from the supply pipe 25 through a restricted opening 26 formed in the valve casing 24 between the adjacent ends of the pipes 23 and '25, as shown, or embodied in water supply pipe 25, and it may then pass through the pipe 23 directly into the hydraulic cylinder, where it will act upon the piston 18 and raise the same to a certain extent. The water entering the valve casing 24 also passes up through a conical valve seat 27 formed in said casing above the inlet to the pipe 23, and from said conical valve seatthe water may flow 'out of the valve casing through an overflow pipe 28 which is preferably attached to the side wall of the valve casing, as shown. The opening through the conical valve seat 27 is controlled by means of a needle valve 29 carried by the beam 14; and movable thereby. Said needle valve is preferably suspended from said beam by means of a link 30, and it passes through a bushing 31 screwed into the upper open end of the valve casing 2-1. Immediately below the bushing or plug 31 the valve casing is provided with a small chamber 32, within which the needle valve 29 is provided with a small baflle 33.

The operationof the apparatus is essentially as follows :The escaping products of combustion pass into the pressure chamber 11 and there act on the diaphragm or piston 12, which moves the beam or lever 14 upward or-downward in accordance with the pressure existing in said pressure chamber. As the pressure produced by the products of combustion fluctuates, there is a corresponding movement of the beam or lever 14 on its fulcrum 15, which causes the needle to be moved correspondingly in the valve casing 24. The pipe 25, as before intimated, is sup plied with a'constantly flowing stream of water or otherfluid discharging to atmospheric pressure, and aportion of this water or fluid passes into or out of the cylinder 19, where it acts upon the piston 18 which is connected with the damper, and it also passes out of the valve casing 24 through the overflow pipe 28. The needle valve 29 is so arranged that under operating conditions, it

does not close the conical valve seat or passage 27, but in its intermittent upward and downward movement it restricts this passage more or less so that differences of press'ure'are produced in the valve casing and in the cylinder 19. Sweet the products of combustion leaving the furnace being regulated is reduced too much so that the damper should be partially closed; the piston 12 will be allowed to descend correspondingly against the reduced pressure of the ga s in the chamber 11, car rying down that end of the lever or beam 14 and thereby effecting the raising of the op posite end and of the needle valve 29. This V I to deflect the rising water in adownward di- Supposmg that the pres-' will move the needle valve away from its passage 27' and permit the water in the valve casing, which is now impeded to a less extent, to exhaust more freely through the overflow 28, with the result that the pressure in the motor cylinder 19 will be relieved so that the damper controlling piston 18 may drop down to a certain extent which produces apartial closing oi: the damper. This ope 'ation will, of course, check the flow of 7r gas from the boiler, furnace, or out takc, ,and tend to raise the pressure of the products of combustion to normal. Then in a short time the conditions may require that the damper be opened again to a certain extent at least; this will be eil ected by the increased pressure of the pmducts of combustion due to accumulation when the damper is partially closed, the pressure of the gases forcing the piston 12 upward again in the pressure chamber and causing the needle valve 29 to be correspondingly lowered in the direction of its seat or passage. Now, of course, there is further impeding or restriction of the water exhausting to atmosphere, due to the lowering of the needle valve, and accordingly the pressure in the valve casing between the passages 26 and 27 will be considerably increased thereby causing a further quantity of water to pass into L the cylinder 19 at increased pressure, so that the piston 18 moves upward and opens the damper farther. This opening of the damper causes the products of comlmstion to escape more freely from the furnace, thus lowering the pressure therein to its normal value, and allowing the piston 12 to descend in its chamber 11 and effect the closing of the damper to the extent required. This apparatus may be used for the regulation of pressure of air or gas where the pressure is low, either above or below that of the atmosphere. In this way, an intermittent opening and closing of the damper takes place repeatedly as called for by conditions, and a sensitive and reliable regulation is attained.

The post or abutment 20' in the lower part of the cylinder 19 serves as a stop for the piston 18 and limits the downward movement of the latter at such a-. point that the water or other fluid cannot pass intosaid cylinder in the space above said piston. The small baffle 33 on. the needle valve serves rect'ion so that it will pass out of the overflow and will not leak out of the upper'end of the valve casing. The restricted opening 2 in the inlet 23 of the motor cylinder is for the purpose of preventing the piston being moved too suddenly by the increase of pressure in the valve casing, as will be un-- dcrstood.

In addition to the sensitiveness of the device, it is of very simple construction and it has the great advantage that it operates under very small ditlerences of pressure. Another advantage is that the needle valve need never be completely closed, so that sticking of this valve is made impossible. In other devices of this kind, the stickingof the valve has been one of the prime factors in precluding a sensitive and reliable regulation, but this is not the case in the present ins'tai'ice.

instead of having the atcr or other fluid pass from the valve casing into the motor cylinder, it may pass into such cylinder first and then into the valve fusing. An arrangen'ientof this kind is illustrated in Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive. In the apparatus shown in these views, the needle valve is actuated by steam pressure instead of by the pressure of the gases of coi'nhustion. A. pipe 35, leading from a steam connection on the boiler whose damper to be regulated, introduces steau'i pressijire into a chamber 36, where such pressure acts upon a diaphragm 37 having a pin 38 hearing up against a counterweighted beam or lever 39. T his lever is pivoted at 40, and it is moved onits pivot by the varying steam pressure beneath the diaphragm 37, as will be understood, the movement of said lever in opposite directions being limited by means of stops 4:1, 42, carried by a bracket 4-3 which embraces and guides the lever near its end opposite the pivot 40. The constantly flowing stream of water passes, by means of a pipe 44 having a strainer 45, through the restricted passage del Fig. 3 into the motor cylinder 46, at the lower part of the latter, said cylinder haw ing a piston 4?, piston rod 4-8 and a bottom outlet pipe 49. The piston rod 48 is connected in any suitable way with the damper, steam valve or other device, as before. The outlet pipe it) of the motor cylinder leads to a valve casing 50 in which operates a needle valve 51 carried by the controlling lever 39, lo this instance, the needle valve is not carried directly by said lever but is mounted on an auxiliary lever 52 which is pivoted at 53 on a small post 54 extending upward from the main lever, as shown. The opposite end of the auxiliary lever 52 is suspends,

ed by means of a chain 55 from the upper part of the piston rod 48. v

The valve casing 50 and needle valve 51 are shown in detail in Figs. 4 and 5, wherein it appears that the pipe l9 connecting the motor cylinder with the valve casing communica'tes with an inlet'passage 56 in the lower part of the valve casing. Leading upward fronrthis inlet passage is a small channel 57 of relatively restricted cross section, and this channel debouches into a chamber 58 in' communication with an overflow pipe 60, as shown in Fig. 3: Above the chamber 58 and communicating with it by means of a small passage 61 is a chain her 62 in the upper part of the valve casing, in which chamber the needle-valve is provided with a ballie (33, similar to that previously described. The top of the valve .asing is closed by a plug (ilthrough which the needle valve works in a vertical direction. leading oft from the upper end of the motor cylimler 4c is a water leakage pipe (i?) which discharges into an overflow pipe on into which the overflow pipe of the 'alve casing likewise discharges, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This leakage pipe takes care of any *ater which finds its way into the part of the motor cylinder above the piston thereof, such water being expelled by the piston when the latter moves into the upper end. of the motor cylinder, and flowing out of the pipe 65 into the overflow pipe. It is to be understood that the constantly flowing stream oi water passes, by means of the pipe 44, into the motor cylinder 46, in

damper-controlling piston is maintained at a corresponding height. In other words, a certain amount of pressure is built up in the lo er part of the motor cylinder such water being carried off, however, by means of the connecting pipe 49, which conducts it into the valve casing 50. Supposing that the steam pressure is too 'great, so that the damper should be closed to a certain extent, the diaphragm 37 will force the lever or beam 35-) in an upward direction on its pivot elt); iil his, of course, will carry the auxiliary lever 12 in an upward direction and thereby raise the needle valve 51, so that the pressure of the water in the valve casing will be relieved, and a freer exit of the water through the overflow pipe 60 will be permitted. In this way the pressure in the lower part of the motor cylinder, which is dependent on the constriction, of the opening extent, so that the piston 47 may drop down and thereby close the damper. This closing movement of the damper would be too sudden and the damper would be moved too far if it were not for the arrangement of the needle valve on the auxiliary lever in the manner described. In descending in the motor cylinder, vthe piston 47 permits the end of the auxiliary lever to drop to a corresponding extent, through the chain connection desc1'ibed,and this downward movement of the auxiliary lever will move the needle valve 51 d wn in the direction of its seat, so that it will not .be permanently moved too far away from the same. In other words, the dpening of the needle valve, which would be apt to be, too great, is neutralized to a certain extent by the auxiliary lever'and the aforesaid connection. As soon as the steam pressure-decreases, the diaphragm 37 will descend and thereby permit the counterweighted lever 39 to move downward about which it maintains such a level that the in the valve casing, is relieved to a certain its pivot, so that the needle valve will be caused to restrict the flow of water to a greater extent, thusbuilding up pressure in the motor cylinder again, and effecting the raising of the piston and the opening of the damper to the extent required. It is to be understood that in this case also, the needle valve does not at. any time make a tight contact with its seat, as the discharge of water is continuous, although varying in amount. The baflle 63 actsin the manner previously explained, and the smallpassage 61 permits the draining off of the water from the chamber in. the npperpart of the valve casing. Although the quantity of water or other fluid used need be very small, .still a large pressure can be built up under the piston or other moving element.

The restricted passage under the valve is important in both of the embodiments described, since if it were not for this restriction the needle valve, when it moves away from its seat, would not be able to relieve the pressure under the loaded piston unless the quantity of water flowing was very small. Of course, it is necessary that the constantly flowing stream be constant in volume or nearly so. If the conditions described are obtained, the device is made extremely sensitive, and it responds with remarkable proinptness to the smallest variation requiring regulation.

In both embodiments of the invention shown in the drawing the conducting means for the constantly flowing stream of incoming fluid is of small cross sectional. area adjacent its connection with the fluid pressure device. in order that the communication with the lattermay be somewhat restricted so as to prevent a sudden and direct transmission of the pressure in the motor device to the stream of fluid on its way from the source of supply to the motor device.

As above intimated, it is to be understood that the improvements are capable of various applications, and of course I have not attempted to describe the numerous modifications that may be adoptedwithout digressing from my inventive idea. So far as the broader aspects of the invention are concerned, the character of the controlling means, the device to be controlled, and of the fluid-operated or regulating device is capable of wide variation.

What I claim is l. The combination of a fluid pressure regulating device adapted to operate a damper or the like, conducting means for a constantly flowing stream of fluid. having constant but restricted communication with said device, means to discharge such stream of fluid constantly, means to restrict the discharge of-the fluid to varying degrees and thereby build up and relieve pressure in said regulating device, and means to operate said restricting means in accordance with conditions independent of the pressure of such fluid.

.2. The combination of a fluid pressure regulating device adapted to operate a damper or the like, conducting means for a. constantly flowing stream of fluid, having normally uninterrupted but restricted communication with said device, means communicating with said conducting means and intended to dischargc'such fluid constantly during operation, a valve associated with said last named means and acting to restrict the discharge of fluid to varying degrees and thereby build up and relieve pressure. in said regulating device, and means to operate said valve.

3. The combination of a fluid pressure regulating device, conducting means for a constantly flowing stream of fluid, having uninterrupted but restricted communication with said device, means from which the fluid is discharged in a constantly flowing stream. and means to restrict and relieve the fluid discharge as called for by certain conditions. without total stoppage, whereby the pressure in said regulating device is iiicreased and decreased correspondingly.

4;. The combination of a regulating device comprising a cylinder and piston. conducting means for a constantly flowing stream 0 f fluid, in constant but restrictedcommunication with said cylinder, means to discharge such fluid constantly, and a dischargc restricting valve operatcdundcr certain coiiditions to restrict and relieve the discharge of fluid and thereby build up and relieve the pressure in said cylinder.

The combination oi a fluid pressure motor device, connections for a constantly flowing stream of fluid. having constant but restricted communication with said device, means to discharge fluid t'roin the apparatus in a constanttv flowing straun, and a valve operated automatically as called for by conditions independent of the pressure of'snch fluid, and acting to restrict and relieve the discharging fluid. whereby the pressure in said motor device is altered in accordance with such conditions.

thThe combination of a fluid pressure motor device, connections for a constantly flow ng stream of fluid. comprising conducting means having constant but restricted communication with said motor devic v and also including a valve casing having restricted communication with said device, the fluid being discharged from said casing in a constantly flowing stream, a flow restrict ing alve in said casing. and means to operate said valve autoniaticaltv.

7. The combination oi. a valve, a fluid pressure regulating device in which pressure is built up by av constantly flowing stream of fluid in continuous but restricted Cir mmmunicdtidn with said device, the flow of In testimony whereof I afiix my signature, such fimld being more or less impeded, within presence of two witnesses. out Vite stoppage by said valve in order to aieer the pressure in said device, and means OSBERT WILLIAMS to actuate said yalve automaticall' as called Witnesses:

' for by conditions independent 0 the pres- ALMA M. Lovenme,

HUGH B. ANDREWS.

sure (if each fluid, 

